Suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa-Ari has been granted bail after coming under a police investigation for declaring Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress as winner of the governorship election of the state before the conclusion of the collation of results.
He was allowed to go home alongside two other Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioners and another official who are also being interrogated.
Their release on administrative bail came with some conditions which include depositing their passports and restricting their movement within the Federal Capital Territory.
A senator reportedly stood as surety for Yunusa-Ari after he was interrogated for three days while in custody of the police. The Nation reported that the Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba personally interrogated the REC, the national commissioners and the others.
During the session, Yunusa-Ari, according to sources exchanged words with the INEC commissioners over claim that he fled and was incommunicado.
The interrogation session dwelt on allegations of bribing during the Aril 15 Supplementary election after which REC declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Ayisetu Dahiru Binani as governor-elect, which collation of results was going on in usurpation of the Returning Officer’s role.
A source told the publication; “Our investigators have interacted with the REC, some INEC National Commissioners and other officials undergoing interrogation. We have asked the affected officials to submit their traveling documents.
“The REC promised to drop his passport at the Force Headquarters yesterday. And if it is necessary to arraign any of the officials after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, it will be easier.
“In line with the law and international best practices, the police have granted bail to the REC, the National Commissioners and all officials under investigation. They have been released accordingly. The bail surety for the REC is a Senator.
“But all those quizzed got an advisory to limit their media visibility for unfettered investigation. With the involvement of the IGP and his management team, you can determine the commitment attached to this case. Granting bail will not hamper investigation.
“There were allegations and counter-allegations on nocturnal meetings, choice dinner and bribery scandal during the elections. Detectives will look into this dimension of influence peddling and bribery. The scope of investigation will be widened.“
